The Leaper Between
18 February 2015
In the mail today: Andrew D. Chumbley’s “The Leaper Between”. The book was released in 2012 by Three Hands Press. The text was written by Chumbley in 2000, an abridged version was first published in The Cauldron magazine in 2001. I yet have to understand in how far the essay is related to ONE: the Grimoire of the Golden Toad (or isn’t). Apparently the Golden Toad is more of a personal account whereas the Leaper is a historical research. I’ve been recommended to read both, but unfortunately the Golden Toad is now very hard (and costly) to obtain. The hardcover editions of the Leaper had sold out rather quickly as well and it was only thanks to a customer that it came into my hands now. This is #219 of 231 “deluxe hand-numbered casebound copies in iridescent brick cloth”. It has a gilt toad device on the cover, which has been designed by James Dunk and is titled “Waters of the Moon”. Besides, paperback copies of the Leaper are available and unlimited in number.
On the above photo I added my own toad talismans. One is a mummified pet toad, which I’ve worked with in various ways. It’s not really connected to the ritual described in the text, apart from that it does serve as a talisman. Perhaps one day I’ll share my own working in this regards.
Some toad related artwork of mine:
“Alkhemist”, atavistic ‘soul-painting’, part of a work done in 2008
Lunar Toad, ink drawing, based off a silver ring
"Heqet-Hekate", Metamorphous Queen of Toads and Serpents, interior illustration for Pillars Journal 1.I, which contains articles and art centering around the topic of Psychopompos
PS: Tonight it’s having a “black supermoon“. This means the moon is in close proximity to the earth (occuring larger than usual) just that we cannot see it at this time, because it’s positioned right between the sun and the earth. So watch out, perhaps you can see even more darkness than usual on this night.
Edit: I’ve just been told one could read the Golden Toad grimoire at the Museum of Witchcraft. It’s certainly on my list of places to visit…
The Leaper Between